Borderlands Message Board older than one year ago

Witness the birth of Gearbox's 'loot-em-up'.

Initial reviews of Gearbox's Borderlands (out this week) have been fairly positive. There's some crosstalk about how to define Borderlands' genre, but it might be most simply described as a Diablo-esque shooter. While you can take the game on alone, the online and couch co-op modes seem to be universally praised for their ability to melt away the bland elements of Borderlands. It's much better with friends, apparently. Game Informer (93/100): "Borderlands attempts many things, which in this medium can often end with a laundry list of features but no fully-developed ones. This is one of the rare occasions where all of the new experiences a game brings to the table work out splendidly, especially when viewed as an entire package. Co-op is a blast, the variety of weaponry lends an addictive quality to the game that's rarely seen, and it maintains a distinct sense of humor and personality." IGN (88/100): "Gearbox's Borderlands is without a doubt a slick, satisfying hybrid title for those who know what to expect. If you're a shooter fan curious what the world of Pandora is all about, then you should know that this is a product built on a foundation of statistical progression, character customization, and one that holds item acquisition high above interesting quest structure and narrative. At the same time, it plays like a shooter, requiring twitch skills to dominate the droves of enemies that stand in between you and your search for a mysterious vault." GameTrailers (84/100): "Borderlands is a bit of a grind-fest, but that's part of the fun, as you take on tougher enemies and hunt for bigger and badder gear. The co-op play is integrated seamlessly, and there's a huge world to explore with friends or on your own." Giant Bomb (4/5): "The structure of Borderlands makes it feel like an MMO game that doesn't require you to rely on groups of other players to enjoy. Though it's probably better when you're playing online with friends, playing alone is still perfectly fine. It's also one of those games that's so strong in parts that its shortcomings become almost glaring by comparison. As such, the game's barebones story, lackluster AI, and insufficient player trading options are real disappointments that prevent the game from reaching its full potential."

With all these wicked weapons you will not have time to rest.

Want to get Borderlands a little early and stay up a little late? In addition to the North Texas midnight launches that Gearbox staffers will be attending, the company has announced midnight launches at around 1,300 different GameStop locations. We guess 2K does have more pull than we thought! You can browse the list right here and see if your closest store is on the list. If it isn't ... think of it as a chance to get acquainted with some new GameStop employees.Basically, you now have only one excuse for not getting Borderlands tonight if you're into the game and you're in the US, and that is not wanting to go to GameStop and stand in line at midnight. Which is actually pretty reasonable.

Should you cross the border for this RPG-FPS Hybrid?

Pull up a chair and learn how the Borderlands came to be.

Even the maniacs of Borderlands can use eco-friendly power.

Gearbox Software delivers a stylish, fun, and frantic shoot and loot experience.

Is shooting and looting in Gearbox's stylish hybrid title any fun?

Much like Batman: Arkham Asylum's sale price during its initial release, Canadian retailers are giving players a break with the upcoming shooter Borderlands. For a limited time, Futureshop, Walmart and Best Buy are offering the Gearbox title for the discounted price of $39.96 on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Borderlands hits stores on October 20, giving Canadians plenty of time to dig out of their snow covered homes.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

You are not hardcore enough for this game.

Curious how many ways there are to kill? Here's a crash course on what to expect.

So, Gearbox and 2K may not have the pull to grant Borderlands with a nationwide mega midnight launch, but gosh-darn-it, they're gonna keep a couple GameStops open late on October 19! For those in the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth, holla!), the developers will be showing up to sign copies (at least "five guys with sharpies") -- and they'll bring some posters and T-shirts along, too. 2201 Preston Rd Plano, TX 75093-2306 6245 Rufe Snow Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76148-3321 The Plano location will have a "four-player LAN setup available to play starting around 9PM." A Gearbox representative tells us they'll "hopefully" have something set up at the Ft. Worth location as well.

click to make big-grrr! Gearbox and 2K Games have wasted no time in announcing the first DLC for Borderlands. Heck, the game itself won't even be released until October 20. Still, we now know that, later this year, players will be able to set out for new (but unlikely to be fresh-smelling) adventures on ... The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned.Admission to this delightfully named locale has already been priced at $9.99 for PS3 and Games for Windows, 800 ($10) on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Given 2K's timing, we fully expect Borderlands 2 to be announced next Monday.Update: Fixed Zed to Ned. Dr. Zed is another character in the game.

Borderlands is working its art style to the max -- so strange to look back at the original design now -- in this TV spot for the FPS-RPG lovechild. And how about all that actual gamepley footage, huh? Imagine selling a game based on that ... How risqué!With five days to go until launch, the game's success is one of the bigger question marks this holiday season. Thankfully, for Borderlands' sake, so many big games have left the arena that a new IP (no, not internet protocol) just might stand a better-than-average chance in the marketplace. At the very least, the box art is sure to grab attention on retail shelves. Go on, Claptrap, we believe in you.

This explosive TV spot personifies everything that you will love about the game.

We're only a few scant weeks away from the release of Gearbox Software's Mad Max-inspired FPS Borderlands, but that doesn't mean we're fully sated in the way of gameplay trailers. No sir, we were more than happy to watch the split-screen co-op above, all the while envisioning a future couch being sat on, whiling away hours with a buddy by shooting raiders in the face. Speaking of which, what do future couches look like ...Anyway! We understand that everyone isn't lucky enough to have a roommate or friends to enjoy games with, so we should point out the co-op above can also be played via the internet, as well -- just, you know, not split-screen. You could do that, but then who would you punch for not having your back? Yourself? Come on! Think, people.

Don't talk back to the director, sir.

The Borderlands mockumentary, starring foul-mouthed unicycle robot Claptrap, continues telling us the untrue story and unreal problems behind the creation of the game. Steering clear of a full-blown Christian Bale freakout like the first video, this one goes more for that Hollywood name-dropping meets The Office feel. The whole thing concludes with an appearance by an epic-sized beast we hope to battle (or avoid coming face-to-face with) in the game. [Thanks, Matt]

Make a run for the border with some killer gear!